1.3. Components of Disaster Risk

So, hazard that may cause some kind of impact on human life and property does not only define the disaster, it also matter that how many people when they are exposed to that hazard. But that is not only enough, it also depends on what and what types of people, what are their characteristics, what are their features, who are exposed to that disaster, so to define disaster so, the question is why is so? We consider this is a vulnerability, that vulnerability is one of the critical conditions to define that the degree of disasters.

This chunk emphasizes that a disaster isn't just about the hazards (like earthquakes or floods) but also about the people exposed to those hazards. It introduces the concept of vulnerability, which is key to understanding how disasters affect communities. Vulnerability refers to the characteristics of people and their circumstances that determine how severely they will be impacted by a disaster.

Imagine a hurricane hitting two different towns. Town A has strong buildings and a prepared emergency response system, while Town B consists mainly of older, weaker houses and lacks proper warning systems. Town B will likely suffer more damage, not just because of the hurricane but due to its higher vulnerability.

We define vulnerability as the condition, that determined by physical, social, economic and environmental factors or process which increase the susceptibility of a community to the impact of hazard.

Vulnerability arises from a mix of various factors: physical (e.g., building materials), social (e.g., age, gender), economic (e.g., income, debt), and environmental (e.g., resource depletion). Each of these factors can increase the likelihood of a disaster's impact on a community. For example, a community with poor infrastructure and low income may struggle to recover from disasters compared to a wealthier community.

Think about a family living in a flood-prone area. If they have good insurance and resources, they can move to higher ground and recover quickly. Conversely, a family without insurance and limited resources may face devastating losses, highlighting how economic factors play a critical role in vulnerability.

So, which places are more vulnerable to a hazard; which geographical region, socio-economic class etc., who are the vulnerable people like which kind of households or individuals are and what should be done like, what kind of capacity or adaptation, capacity building or adaptation measures, preventive measures we can take.

This section explores the specifics of social vulnerability. It identifies certain populations as being at higher risk, such as the elderly, women in patriarchal societies, and minority ethnic groups. It emphasizes the importance of understanding who is more vulnerable and what can be done to assist them, like building their capacity to adapt to future disasters.

Consider a small village where most residents are elderly. In the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood, their age may limit their ability to evacuate quickly or respond effectively. Recognizing this social vulnerability paves the way for community programs that help these individuals prepare for future events.

So, we have to also consider the economic environment or economic factors of vulnerability. One is the income and assets and insurance and debts. How much the person's income has, not only income, but also if they have insurance like if someone has flood insurance so if they are affected, and how they will be impacted by the flood, it depends on insurance.

Economic vulnerability relates to how a person’s income, assets, and insurance status impact their risk during a disaster. People with higher incomes and insurance are often better equipped to handle the repercussions of a disaster than those with fewer resources. Loans and debts also play a significant role, affecting an individual's capacity to recover.

Imagine a homeowner with flood insurance who experiences a flood. While the homeowner might still incur damage, the insurance helps cover costs and aids in a quicker recovery. In contrast, a homeowner without insurance may lose everything and struggle to rebuild, illustrating the impact of economic vulnerability.

But this is just for as a reference; we can have also physical factors of disaster vulnerability. Like, the land use and this mainly came from land use and engineering architectural perspective to define the physical vulnerability of disaster.

Physical vulnerability factors include aspects related to infrastructure, land use, and design. Areas that are poorly planned or built using substandard materials are at higher risk of damage during disasters. Understanding these physical aspects is crucial for developing safe and resilient communities.

Consider two cities: one with strict building codes requiring flood-resistant structures, and another with lax regulations. The first city will likely experience less damage during a flood due to its better-built infrastructure, showing the importance of planning and building practices.

Also, we have environmental factors like the extent of natural resource depletions, the state of resource degradations, exposure to toxic and hazardous pollutants.

Environmental factors are often overlooked but crucial in determining a community’s vulnerability. Issues such as resource depletion or pollution can weaken a community's resilience and ability to cope with disasters. Healthy environments contribute to stronger, more resilient communities.

Think of a coastal community that suffers from severe pollution and depletion of fish stocks. When a hurricane hits, these environmental factors may prevent the recovery of local livelihoods, making the community more vulnerable compared to a well-preserved area with abundant resources.

So, hazard, exposure and vulnerability these 3 components are important to understand disaster risk.

This part summarizes the three essential components of disaster risk: hazards (natural or human-made events), exposure (the people and property at risk), and vulnerability (the characteristics that make people susceptible to harm). These three elements are interconnected and must be considered together to understand disaster risks and improve preparedness.

Imagine a garden: the hazards are the pests, the exposure is the plants, and the vulnerability is the plants' health. Just as healthy plants are less affected by pests, communities that address their vulnerability will also be less impacted by hazards.

But, here is the definition of disaster that is hazard, exposure and vulnerability; that is defining the disaster. And it is a formal definition given by United Nations, ISDR as disaster is a function of the risk process, it results from the combination of hazards, condition of vulnerability and insufficient capacity or measures to reduce the potential negative consequence of risk.

The official definition from the United Nations illustrates that a disaster occurs when hazards meet vulnerable populations without adequate measures to reduce risks. This highlights the importance of disaster management and planning to equip communities against potential threats.

Picture a town facing an incoming hurricane. If the town has emergency plans, public awareness, and resilient infrastructure, it can significantly reduce the disaster's impact. In contrast, a town with no plans or resources is likely to face severe consequences, exemplifying how preparation can make a difference.

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